Location
University Hospital Lewisham, Lewisham High Street, London

Hours
Full Time (hours not specified)

Salary
£32,073 per annum

About the Role
As a Band 5 Podiatrist, you will assess, diagnose, treat and manage patients presenting with a wide range of podiatric conditions including diabetes-related foot disease, vascular and neurological disorders, musculoskeletal conditions, dermatological and nail pathologies, wound care, chronic disease, paediatric conditions, deformities and urgent foot problems. You will use clinical reasoning, critical thinking and evidence-based practice to develop and implement individualised treatment plans. Your role includes undertaking routine and specialist podiatric interventions such as nail and skin care, wound management, biomechanical assessment, orthotic prescription, exercise programmes and minor surgery assessment and treatment where appropriate. You will administer local anaesthetic for nail surgery procedures and respond appropriately to medical emergencies including anaphylaxis. Monitoring, evaluating and modifying treatment plans to ensure optimal clinical outcomes will be key. You will make appropriate referrals to specialist podiatry services and wider multidisciplinary teams including GPs, District Nurses, Acute Foot Clinics, Social Services and voluntary agencies. Care will be delivered across diverse patient groups including children, adults, older people, vulnerable patients and housebound individuals in a variety of settings such as community clinics, GP practices, nursing and residential homes, hospitals, day centres and patients' own homes. You will also deliver health promotion, preventative care and self-management education to patients, carers and healthcare professionals.

Clinical Governance and Quality
You will maintain accurate, contemporaneous clinical records in accordance with Trust, HCPC and professional standards. Adherence to all relevant Trust policies including Infection Prevention and Control, Health and Safety, COSHH, Safeguarding, Consent, Lone Working, Medicines Management and Risk Management procedures is essential. Participation in clinical audit, service evaluation, quality improvement initiatives and service development activities is expected. You will contribute to the development, implementation and review of departmental policies, procedures and clinical guidelines. Reporting incidents, near misses, complaints and equipment defects in accordance with Trust policy is required. Maintaining competence in the use of specialist clinical equipment including Doppler ultrasound and vascular assessment equipment is part of the role. You will support the collection, analysis and reporting of activity, outcome and performance data.

Communication and Partnership Working
Effective communication with patients, carers and healthcare professionals is vital, adapting methods to overcome barriers where required. You will work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated, patient-centred care. Liaising with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate safe discharge planning and continuity of care is part of your responsibilities. You will also deliver presentations, teaching sessions and health promotion activities to patients, staff and partner organisations.

Workforce and Service Delivery
You will work autonomously within professional boundaries while seeking guidance and support from senior clinicians when required. Managing and prioritising your own clinical caseload, including high-risk and domiciliary patients, is essential. You will monitor clinic capacity and support the effective management of waiting lists and patient flow. Undertaking risk assessments relating to patients, environments and lone working activities is required. Working in challenging clinical and domiciliary environments whilst maintaining professional standards and personal safety is expected. Ensuring adequate stocks, equipment and clinical resources are maintained and participating in specialist rotations and service developments as required are also part of the role.

Education, Training and Development
You will maintain HCPC registration and comply with Continuing Professional Development requirements. Participation in appraisal, clinical supervision, peer review and reflective practice is expected. Supporting the supervision, development and assessment of students, assistant practitioners, apprentices and new staff is part of your duties. You will contribute to departmental teaching, in-service training and practice education programmes. Participation in research, audit and evidence-based practice activities to support continuous service improvement is encouraged. Attendance at mandatory training, departmental meetings, study days and professional development activities to maintain professional competence is required.

Experience
Experience in assessing and managing a wide range of podiatric conditions including diabetes-related foot disease, vascular and neurological disorders, musculoskeletal conditions, dermatological and nail pathologies, wound care, chronic disease, paediatric conditions and urgent foot problems is desirable. Experience in delivering care across diverse patient groups and settings is advantageous.

About You
You are a motivated and autonomous practitioner with strong clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills. You demonstrate excellent communication and partnership working abilities, adapting to diverse patient needs and multidisciplinary team environments. You are committed to maintaining professional standards, personal safety and continuous professional development. You are able to work effectively in challenging clinical and domiciliary environments and manage a varied caseload including high-risk patients.

Qualifications
You must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Podiatrist and comply with all Continuing Professional Development requirements. You should be committed to ongoing education, training and professional development activities.